The Kings were not in the game whatsoever in the first-half and it was not a happy return to action for Luke Watson, who was replaced on 45 minutes.

But what cannot be criticised is the amount of support packed into the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as 45,649 fans were out in force for the fixture.

Unfortunately that home support had little to cheer as the Bulls went ahead with only six minutes played by Steyn put the ball back inside to Serfontein to cross. The conversion was good from Steyn and he added three more with just over a quarter of the match played.

The Bulls were over again on 24 minutes with a superb try seeing a breakout from their own 22 being shipped wide to Lionel Mapoe, who raced downfield before interchanging with Serfontein before the number 11 handed to Vermaak who used the conditions to slide in.

Vermaak's converted try made it 17-0 as the Bulls continued to turn the screw in Port Elizabeth, Steyn compounding matters with a drop-goal six minutes before the break.

The second-half was a drab affair and the sold-out venue was almost silenced - despite the best efforts of the in-stadium DJ - by a lack of enterprise from either side on Saturday.

However with four minutes remaining in the game the Bulls suddenly came to life and scored tries through replacement flank Jacques Potgieter and wing Akona Ndungane in a result that sets them up nicely for a home clash with the Waratahs next weekend.